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Search Mastery

Learn more about how search engines work and how to navigate search pages, tailor searches and search terms, and evaluate the information you find.

Understanding the SERP: knowledge panels, ads, & direct answers

Depending on what you search for, your SERP may look very different. You may get all organic (traditional) results, or you may get ads, a direct answer, an AI overview, and/or a knowledge panel. Search companies are constantly changing what appears on SERPS, but there are basic components that the video below will introduce. We will also discuss how to decide whether to trust the information in those SERP features.

As you watch, consider the following questions:

  • How are features like the knowledge panel and direct answers useful? Why do they still require careful evaluation?

This video was created by UMD College of Education professor Sarah McGrew.